Now that we know Logan Ryan will definitely not return to Nashville in 2020, the Tennessee Titans have to figure out who will take his place at slot cornerback, the position he manned in 2019.
One thing is for sure: the Titans will look to make an upgrade in speed at the position moving forward, as teams are using faster receivers in the slot more regularly.
Head coach Mike Vrabe also made it clear that the slot is more and more about being able to cover vertical routes, per Paul Kuharsky, which makes a speedy corner in the slot even more important.
“And more so now to be able to match up on some vertical routes inside,” he said. “I think for so long, in the slot there was this horizontal thought — that guys had to work defenses horizontally.
“And now we’re seeing a lot more vertical routes that are coming out of the slot so I think that is something that is always a challenge when you are looking for players that do all those things and do them very well.”
Here’s a look at four defensive backs who we could see in the slot in 2020.
Adoree’ Jackson
General manager Jon Robinson hinted that Jackson could see some time in the slot this season, and he certainly has the ability to play it well.
A nugget from Jon Robinson. When asked about Adoree Jackson moving inside to nickel. "Maybe that's Adoree in there." He mentioned how Adoree did it before in specific situations regarding coverage (his assignment motioned inside). #Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 20, 2020
Jackson’s combination of speed (4.42 40-yard dash time) and coverage skills would be a great match to play in the slot, but the only problem is that would leave a huge hole to fill on the boundary.
Barring an emergency against a receiver owning the Titans’ secondary, it’s doubtful we see Jackson on the inside often in 2020.